NASCAR’s Kurt Busch Visits USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109)

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Anderson W Branch | 210510-N-KK394-1245 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (May 10, 2021) NASCAR driver Kurt Busch unveils the Cpl. Jason Dunham car to the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) on Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Busch visited the ship to express appreciation to service members and to unveil the Cpl. Jason Dunham car that will run in the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch/Released)  

JACKSONVILLE, FL, UNITED STATES

05.10.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Juel Foster 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, Detachment Southeast

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – NASCAR driver Kurt Busch visited the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) at Naval Station Mayport, May 10, 2021, to express appreciation to service members and to unveil the Cpl. Jason Dunham car that will run in the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 on May 30, 2021.

NASCAR drivers honor fallen servicemembers by displaying their names across the windshield of their cars, as a part of the Coca-Cola 600’s “600 Miles of Remembrance” initiative.

Busch’s car will honor the late Cpl. Jason Lee Dunham, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while serving with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War.

“This is next level,” said Busch. “I’m just honored to carry such a large piece of our military with me, to race this car this weekend, and to be part of it today in Jacksonville with all of the Sailors on the ship.”

Busch toured the ship with Cmdr. Steve Puskas, the ship’s commanding officer, and met with Sailors to discuss the ship’s namesake and its importance to the crew and military.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to have NASCAR use our namesake to honor the Navy,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Dashae King, a ship’s crewmember. “It helps us regain perspective on what it means to serve this country.”

Busch received a command ball cap and challenge coin from the ship and gifted the crew with ball caps at the conclusion of the ceremony.

“I think it’s a great honor,” said Puskas. “It’s just a great opportunity for the ship to be a part of this and for us to be able to bring NASCAR into our world for a good cause.”

The “Cpl. Dunham” car will run in the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 this coming Memorial Day weekend.

• Date Taken: 05.10.2021
• Date Posted: 05.11.2021 11:11
• Story ID: 396111
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US